Sjef van Dongen, Arctic hero from Aardenburg

Roosanne Goudbeek, webcoördinator

Sjef van Dongen (1906-1973) was in 1928 granted the title of national hero. He was known as the Hero of the Arctic, who had risked his own life at Spitsbergen to save the lives of others. Spitsbergen remained a significant milestone throughout Sjef van Dongen’s life. Moreover, he was continuously reminded of his heroic deeds, even in later years when he became mayor of Aardenburg in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.